Bangladesh is likely to sign an agreement with a Japanese consortium by late August or early September to operate the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq said today.

“We are trying to inaugurate the terminal on December 16. Before that, the Japanese consortium will submit its bid on July 31. A decision will be taken afterwards,” the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) chairman told journalists at CAAB headquarters here this afternoon.

“The next timeline will become clear after the agreement is signed. However, the agreement is likely to be signed either at the end of August or in early September,” he added.

Siddiq said the authorities are targeting December for the terminal's inauguration, subject to completion of the necessary formalities and operational arrangements.

He said the agreement with the Japanese consortium would be concluded ahead of the inauguration, after which the authorities would finalise the next course of action.

The government has been negotiating with a consortium comprising Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation and Narita International Airport Corporation to operate the long-delayed terminal.

The process gained renewed momentum earlier this year after the Japanese side submitted a revised proposal, narrowing differences over service charges, operational control and revenue-sharing arrangements.

The Third Terminal, which is more than 99 percent complete, has remained non-operational due to unresolved management and operational issues.

The project, largely financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was constructed at an estimated cost of Tk 21,398 crore.

Spanning around 542,000 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle an additional 12 to 16 million passengers annually, along with nearly 900,000 tonnes of cargo.

Aviation experts have repeatedly stressed that bringing the terminal into operation is crucial to easing congestion at HSIA, improving passenger services and supporting Bangladesh's ambition to emerge as a regional aviation and logistics hub.

The CAAB chairman made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions after a workshop titled “Civil Aviation & Air Traffic Operation” organised by CAAB at its headquarters.

The workshop, attended by journalists from various media outlets, focused on airport management, airside and landside operations, aviation security, passenger services, air traffic management and compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Addressing the workshop, Siddiq said civil aviation is a highly specialised and technical sector directly linked to public interest, making accurate, balanced and responsible reporting essential.

“Civil aviation is a specialised and technical sector that is closely connected with the public interest. Therefore, there is no alternative to subject-specific knowledge and accurate information for ensuring precise, balanced and responsible reporting on aviation,” he said.

He added that CAAB would continue organising similar workshops on aviation operations, security and other technical issues to strengthen media professionals' practical understanding of the sector.

Meanwhile, Siddiq said CAAB is taking a tougher stance against unauthorised drone operations in sensitive areas, particularly around airports.

He advised anyone intending to operate drones in such areas to carefully study and comply with the relevant rules and regulations before flying them.

During the technical session, CAAB Member (Operations and Planning) Air Commodore Abu Sayeed Mehboob Khan delivered a presentation on civil aviation.

He discussed the responsibilities and activities of the CAAB, airport management, airside and landside operations, passenger services and security arrangements.

He also highlighted the importance of modern air traffic management and compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure safe and seamless air navigation.

CAAB Member (Administration) Mohammad Lablur Rahman said various initiatives had been implemented to ensure smooth and hassle-free services for Hajj pilgrims at airports.

These included waiving embarkation fees, passenger security fees and airport development fees; distributing Zamzam water; providing separate prayer spaces, safe drinking water, washrooms and hand sanitisers; supplying trolleys, chairs and queue belts; carrying out mosquito-control measures; and undertaking infrastructure development.

Through these initiatives, CAAB worked relentlessly to make the journey of Hajj pilgrims safer, more orderly and comfortable, he added.

CAAB Member (Air Traffic Management) Air Commodore Md Noor-e-Alam delivered a separate presentation on Air Traffic Operation.

He discussed in detail the functions of Air Traffic Control (ATC), management of aircraft movement in airspace, Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM), radio and navigation aids, different categories of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), aeronautical lights, Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), airfield orientation, various aspects of aircraft operations at airfields, and procedures for responding to emergencies during operations.